Goodbye, Paddy

 

I'm in shock.

Patricia, also known as Caftan Woman and Paddy Lee, has passed away.

For the last seven years, Paddy became one of my favorite things about blogging. Sweet, kind, and incredibly supportive, the comments she would leave me gave me so much joy and encouragement. She loved movies right to her very core. There was never a film I could talk about that Paddy didn't know, and even if she didn't like one I wrote about, she could still find something positive to say about it and my writing.

Although I never met Paddy in real life, the news of her death is devastating. Who she was as a person -- smart, caring, optimistic, ebullient, funny -- shone through her words so brilliantly, I felt as if she were an old friend. Every time I published a post, I wondered what delightful thing Paddy would comment. Whether she was sharing a lovely anecdote about her children (whom she clearly adored), mentioning that she saw a specific movie star perform in a stage production (which never failed to make me jealous), or gushing over her enjoyment of an actor or film (if it was Paddy-approved, you know it was quality stuff!), I soaked up every single word.

I can't believe I'll never have her participate in one of my blogathons again; I could always count on her to be game for any topic I did. I really can't believe I'll no longer get to read her thoughts and bask in her encyclopedic knowledge.

Paddy, you were truly one of the best. I'm so sad that you're gone, but I'm so happy I got to share this world with you, even if it was much too brief.

Thank you for everything.

Comments

  1. Kristen WiniarskiMarch 8, 2022 at 8:11 AM

    Oh no.. what awful news 😞
    I'm so sorry to read this, but your tribute was beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MichaelaMarch 8, 2022 at 9:38 PM

      Thank you. It doesn't nearly convey how wonderful she was, but I had to write something for such a dear woman.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMarch 8, 2022 at 11:32 AM

    Sad news; your words here are a lovely tribute to 'Caftan Woman'. May she rest in peace.

    - Valerie.

    ReplyDelete
  3. carygrantwonteatyou.comMarch 8, 2022 at 12:24 PM

    What terrible news. Paddy was one of those who kept me going when I was ready to quit blogging. She really was a cheerleader for all the newcomers, with her humor and praise and wisdom. And what a fabulous blog she wrote. This tribute is dead on. Every word was true for me too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MichaelaMarch 8, 2022 at 9:42 PM

      It's been so beautiful to see how many lives she touched. She embraced everybody with kindness. Such a big loss for us all, not to mention her family.

      Delete
  4. BrittaneyMarch 8, 2022 at 3:30 PM

    I read this terrible news last night and was heart-broken in a way I don't normally feel for people I've never met. But everything you wrote about Paddy is true and likely felt by everyone who had any interaction with her. It's hard to imagine this corner of the internet without her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MichaelaMarch 8, 2022 at 9:46 PM

      So true. I honestly couldn't stop crying last night. She was just an incredibly special person, and blogging won't feel the same without her presence.

      Delete
  5. Virginie PronovostMarch 9, 2022 at 10:07 AM

    That was a beautiful tribute to her, Michaela. She was definitely one of my most faithful reader and blogathon participants and herself a great writer and I'm sure a wonderful person as you perfectly explained in your text. That news is a shock and she'll definitely be missed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MichaelaMarch 9, 2022 at 10:26 PM

      Thanks, Virginie. I still keep expecting to see her name pop up when I check my comments. I have a feeling it's going to take a looong time before I don't.

      Delete
  6. J-DubMarch 9, 2022 at 7:05 PM

    She always told me that everything she knew about sports, she learned from me. All of our worlds are that much better for having had her in them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. KarenMarch 17, 2022 at 5:24 PM

    Lovely tribute, Michaela. Thank you for this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MichaelaMarch 19, 2022 at 5:03 PM

      Thank you for the kind words. As soon as I heard Paddy was gone, I knew I had to write this. She was such a light.

      Delete
  8. MarianneMarch 24, 2022 at 1:46 PM

    A great tribute. Paddy Lee really was a warm and welcoming presence in the blogosphere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MichaelaMarch 26, 2022 at 3:27 PM

      She certainly was! Thank you for the comment.

      Delete
  9. Diary of a Movie ManiacMarch 30, 2022 at 11:43 PM

    I'm shocked! I talked to her not long ago. Lovely lady. She was always kind and respectful. She'll be missed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MichaelaMarch 31, 2022 at 7:30 PM

      It was a shock to me, too. I knew she'd been having health issues, but I guess I didn't know the extent of it.

      Delete

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